DICT to activate 78 free public wifi sites in
Butuan City
By Jennifer
P. Gaitano
BUTUAN
CITY, July 17 (PIA) -- The Department of Information and Communications
Technology (DICT) will be activating its 78 free public wifi sites through
a launching ceremony on July 26, 2018 at Almont Hotel’s Inland Resort
here.
Dir.
Evamay Dela Rosa of DICT Mindanao Cluster 2 said the initiative is
pursuant to Republic Act 10929, also known as the Free Internet Access in
Public Places Act, where DICT will lead in the implementation of PipolKonek or
the Free Public Wi-Fi Internet Access in Public Places Project.
In Butuan
City, Dir. Dela Rosa said the 78 sites where the free public wifi internet
access will be activated comprised the government agencies in the city.
“During
the launching, city mayor Ronnie Vicente Lagnada will deliver his wecome
message, while DICT assistant secretary Alan Silor will also share
his message of support to the local government unit and national government
agency beneficiaries,” said Dela Rosa.
PipolKonek
is the first of its scale in South East Asia, providing free internet access
across all municipalities and cities in the Philippines.
This
project aims to raise digital literacy and citizen productivity in the country
by providing easy access to government online services, information, and other
online opportunities.
For more
information, the DICT office in Butuan City can be reached at
telephone number (085) 817-2011. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
CSC Caraga to host fun run in Butuan City
By Jennifer
P. Gaitano
BUTUAN
CITY, July 17 (PIA) -- In line with the 118th Philippine Civil
Service Anniversary celebration, the Civil Service Commission (CSC) Caraga
regional office will be hosting a Fun Run activity here on September 2, 2018 at
4:30 a.m.
According
to Annabelle Rosell, CSC Caraga regional director, the event is a duly approved
fund raising activity by the Department of Social Welfare and Development
(DSWD), which aims to raise funds for the CSC’s Pamanang Lingkod Bayani (PLBi)
– a program that grants financial assistance to the bereaved family and
scholarship to family members of government officials who died in line of duty
via CSC’s partner educational institutions.
“Your
active participation will go a long way in funding our PLBi, in spirit of
‘Malasakit’ and as token of our solidarity with our fellow public servants who
have died while in the performance of duty,” said Dir. Rosell.
Dir.
Rosell also bared that every male and female winner for every event will be
given prizes. For the 10-kilometer Run, first prize winners will each receive
PhP3,000.00 and medal; second prize – PhP2,000.00 and medal; and third prize –
PhP1,000.00 and medal.
For the
5-kilometer Run, first prize – PhP2,000.00 and medal, second prize –
PhP1,500.00 and medal, third prize – PhP1,000.00 and medal; while for the
3-kilometer Run, first prize – PhP1,500.00 and medal, second prize –
PhP1,000.00 and medal, third prize – PhP500.00 and medal.
The lady
director also clarified that registration for 10k run is PhP700.00, 5k run –
PhP400.00, and 3k run – PhP300.00.
“Registration
is on a first-come-first-served basis and singlet is good while supply lasts.
The event is not limited to government employees; other fun run enthusiasts are
also welcome,” she said.
It was
also learned that for government agencies, they may grant half-day compensatory
time-off to their participating employees pursuant to CSC Memorandum Circular
No. 11, series 2002, regarding R.A.C.E. to Serve II Fun Run. (PIA-Caraga)
ARBGB members to participate in river basin summit,
strat plan workshop
By Jennifer
P. Gaitano
BUTUAN
CITY, July 17 -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)
Caraga, in collaboration with the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA),
provincial government of Agusan del Norte, city government of Butuan and the
Agusan River Basin Governing Board (ARBGB), is spearheading the conduct of the
Lower Agusan River Basin Summit on July 18, 2018, followed by a Strategic
Planning Workshop on July 19-20, 2018 to be attended by the ARBGB members at
Almont Hotel’s Inland Resort, this city.
Lawyer
Felix Alicer, regional director of DENR Caraga said the results of the
planning workshop will complete the ARB organization.
“The ARBGB
under the chairmanship of the late Bishop Juan de Dios Pueblos was created
during the ARB Summit on September 3-4, 2015, while the Upper and Middle Agusan
River Sub-basin Summits were held on October 11, 2016 and May 23, 2017 creating
the Upper and Middle Agusan River Basin Councils, respectively,” recalled Atty.
Alicer.
Alicer
reiterated the importance of the ARB being one of the eight major river
basins in Mindanao.
“It is the
third largest river basin in the country covering a total area of 11,936 square
kilometers," he said.
"It
encompasses portions of Claveria and Bukidnon in Region 10, Compostella Valley
and Davao Oriental in Region 11, and Agusan del Sur, Agusan del Norte and
Surigao del Sur in Region 13 (Caraga region),” Alicer added.
Atty.
Alicer also said the ARB is sub-divided into three sub-basins: Upper,
Middle, and Lower ARB Basins.
The
province of Agusan del Norte and Butuan City fall within the Lower ARB with a
total area of 1,495.28 square kilometers comprising 13 percent of the total
basin area. (PIA-Caraga)
AgNor prov'l gov't honors service awardees
By
Nora L. Molde /Jessica O. Mellejor
BUTUAN
CITY, July 17 -- In recognition of their cooperation, support and services
provided to the people of Agusan del Norte, the Provincial Government recently
gave recognition to the 30 employees of the provincial capitol and hospital
held at the Provincial Training Center here.
Service
awardees included employees who have rendered 30, 35 and 40 years of service.
Awardees who have rendered 35 to 40 years of service received PhP5,000
each and a plaque while those who have reached 30 years in service received
PhP4,000 and a plaque.
Among
the awardees who have rendered 30 years in service were Ronaldo A. Bermejo of
the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office; Pio C. Bagaloyos,
Dioscora C. Fornolles, Olegario C. Galon, Edgar J. Decamotan, Fladelita B. Dela
Pena, Emma D. Caniga, Ma. Dauden B. Ebarle, Anecito T. Gay, Luz A. Mendoza,
Cecilia P. Patingan of the Provincial Health Office (PHO); Wilfreda T. Soria,
Wilfreda L. Langit of the Provincial Assessors Office (PASSO); Alicia A.
Baclaan of the Provincial Budget Office; Luisito P. Azura, Daisy M. Mejia of
the Provincial General Services Office (PGSO); and Daisy O. Demavivas of the
Provincial Social Welfare Population and Nutrition Services Office.
For
those who have served for 35 years, these included Rhoda F. Avellana of
Kitcharao District Hospital; Jocelyn M. Magdaraog of the Provincial Accountant
Office; Cristina R. Dacilla of PGSO; Joselito L. Cabaron of the Provincial
Economic Enterprise Development and Management Office; Marilyn T. Lumontad -
Provincial Agriculturist Office; Dr. Elizabeth N. Campado, Ramon V. Loja, Daisy
D. Morales of PHO; and Felicidad T. Labajo of PASSO.
Awardees who have served for 40 years were Marlyn C. Butal
and Faith M. Dumoran of PHO; Maria Leah B. Dacera of Sangguniang Panlungsod
Office; and Lolita Q. Paler of PASSO.
Provincial
Board Member Virgilio R. EscasiΓ±as, Jr. encouraged the provincial employees to
provide good service and utmost dedication not only to Agusanons but to the
public as well. (LGU-Agusan del Norte/PIA-Agusan del Norte)
DAR AgNor launches Farm Business School for
agrarian-farmers
By Gil E.
Miranda
TUBAY,
Agusan del Norte, July 17 -- The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) of Agusan
del Norte has intensified its effort to enhance the knowledge in agricultural
productivity and promote economic activity under the recently launched Farm
Business School (FBS) project for the two Agrarian Reform Beneficiary
Organizations (ARBOs) here.
Provincial
Agrarian Reform Program Officer II Andre B. Atega said the government is
now providing enough support services to the ARBOs with the aim of developing
the farmers to become agricultural entrepreneurs.
He added
that the FBS project develops farmers to make their farm profitable and can
effectively respond to present day farming challenges.
The
recipients of the training program are some 28 members of the DoΓ±a Rosario
Certificate of Land Ownership Award (CLOA) Holders Vegetable Producers
Association (DRCHVPA) and Kabayawa Sala Farmers Association.
Tubay
Mayor Fidel G. Garcia, in his message, challenged the farmers to work hard and
should learn lessons from the failures of several projects implemented.
DRCHVPA
President Hector dela Cruz proudly accepted the project and promised to do
their best to make it more profitable.
“Dako
namong garbo na kami nakadawat niini nga hagit ug among ipasalig na kami
maningkamot aron kini malamposon (We accepted the challenge and promised to
make it a success, in support to the call of the government to make it
sustainable)," he said.
The
project launching was also attended by DTI provincial director Brenda
Corvera, Agricultural Training Institute representative Engr. Joel Laure,
municipal agriculturist Delma Vasquez, Tubay vice mayor Raquim Cuyos, and CSWD
officer Evelita Regis. (DAR-Agusan del Norte/PIA-Agusan del Norte)
PNP Caraga chief to focus on lowering traffic
accident
BUTUAN
CITY, July 17 -- Philippine National Police (PNP) Caraga regional director
PCSupt. Noli A. Romana vowed to bring down incidents of physical injuries
attributed to traffic incidents and help in finding a solution to the traffic
problems in Caraga region.
Romana said
the crime rate in Caraga region rose to 17 percent from January 1 to
June 2018 compared with the crime rate during the same period in 2017 due to Non-Index
Crime that increased from 581 in 2017 to 750 in 2018.
“Traffic
incident in our region is not only the concern of the police but it concerns
other agencies. So, we will be coordinating with them,” Caraga’s top cop said.
Data also
showed that a total of 4,612 crimes were reported in 2018, which is higher than
3,932 crime volume listed in 2017.
However,
3,968 or 80 percent of crimes were solved in 2018 among the 4,612 crimes
compared with only 1,938 or 47 percent cases in 2017, Romana refers to the record
from the Regional Investigation and Detective Management Division (RIDMD).
Crimes
related to murder, homicide, rape, robbery and theft posted a significant slide
to 5.98 percent with only 942 totaled crimes in 2018 compared with 971 crimes
in 2017.
Romana
noted that the downtrend of index crimes was the result of combined efforts of
the PNP, other law enforcement agencies, local government units and the
community.
“We will
give our best to be able to help in the traffic problem and I am also appealing
on the people in Caraga to continue working with our cops and partner agencies
to sustain these substantial gains in bringing down crime incidents in the
region,” Romana added. (PNP Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
69 Mamanua families receive houses
JABONGA,
Agusan del Norte, July 17 -- Sixty-nine families of the Mamanua Tribe in this
town finally received their own houses under the Jabonga Mamanua
Tribal Village Project of the National Housing Authority (NHA) and the Local
Government Unit (LGU).
Jabonga
Mayor Jasmin F. Monton, in her message during the turnover ceremony on
June 30, said that although the journey took longer - more than five years, she
was happy that the project has finally materialized and will now be enjoyed by
the Mamanuas.
Monton
also said the NHA provided PhP10 million and about PhP5 million from the LGU
for the said project.
Although
the village is a recipient of a royalty share from the operations of a nearby
mine - the Agatha Mining Ventures, Inc., the LGU of Jabonga has seen the
need for the tribe to be given assistance and guidance in terms of sustainable
livelihood and source of income.
Currently
the families’ means of living are either farming, fishing and working in the
mine.
In the
pre-program huddle with Mayor Monton, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)
Agusan del Norte OIC-provincial director Brenda B. Corvera, Negosyo Center (NC)
Jabonga project staff Mikie D. Villanueva and Evelyn
P. Mordeno discussed about doing needs assessment first with a profiling
of their skills and interest as a first step.
Agatha
Mining representative Jecil Lad also expressed interest to help.
NC Jabonga
will also be working closely with personnel from the National Commission on
Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) Elsie Namuag who is assigned in the area and the
tribe’s leader Datu Rogelio “Baludoy” Bebe.
In the
same activity, both LGU Jabonga and the Mamanua tribe recognized the pioneering
efforts of Engr. Carlito Oraiz of Orgon Wood Industries in helping
the tribe through their religious’ outreach programs.
Also
present during the ceremony were representatives from the NHA, the Department
of Social Welfare and Development and other LGU functionaries. (DTI-Agusan del
Norte/PIA-Agusan del Norte)
Dinagat PDRRM launches arts, literary contest
SAN JOSE,
Dinagat Islands, July 17 -- The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management
Office (PDRRMO) of Dinagat Islands spearheaded recently the DRR-Climate Change
Adaptation (CCA) Arts and Literary contest at the Aurelio gym here.
PDRRMO
officer Rosario Roxas-Alon said the activity aims to equip learners with
skills and improve their understanding on DRR and CCA concepts focusing on
emergency response, exposure and vulnerability to prevent losses and mitigate
the impacts of disasters.
She said
the students competed for the jingle making contest, essay writing, and poster
making contest where the winners here will compete for the regional level.
The
contest was participated in by high school and elementary students from the
different secondary and elementary schools in the province.
This
year's event is anchored on the theme, “Katatagan sa Kalamidad ay
Makakamtan Kapag Sapat ang Kaalaman sa Kahandaan.” (SDR/PIO-Dinagat
Islands/PIA-Dinagat Islands)
AgSur IP producers to join October Fair
AGUSAN DEL
SUR, July 17 -- After its experience from Sikat Pinoy National Arts and Crafts
Fair last June, the indigenous peoples (IPs) assisted by the Department of
Trade and Industry (DTI) thru the Strike Team program will join in the next
Sikat Pinoy Arts and Crafts Fair this coming October 26 to 28, 2018.
By this
time these IPs will focus on selling their products.
It was
learned that DTI Agusan del Sur recently sent its assisted IP producers to the
2018 Sikat Pinoy National Arts and Crafts Fair organized by the Bureau of
Domestic Trade Promotion (BDTP) with the theme “Inobasyon Hango sa
Tradisyon.”
In her
message during the opening ceremony, Director Rhodora LeaΓ±o of BDTP mentioned
that this particular edition of Sikat Pinoy Fair had a special place in her
heart because of its resounding success for the past several years.
"I am
happy to see that we have now move beyond the market niche and are now reaching
out other areas like creative industries,” LeaΓ±o said.
"Who
would have thought that our indigenous crafts and traditional products would
find a market niche in the modern world,” said Senator Loren Legarda, the event
guest of honor.
Sen.
Legarda also encouraged DTI together with the other government agencies to
continue to work and intensify promotion of IP products.
She
further encouraged the convergence of the government agencies and bring all
resources to help the micro small enterprises in the rural areas.
The event
was participated in by over 200 exhibitors all over the Philippines wherein
Agusan del Sur had Virginia Indias of Manobo Dolls, Panagangan Women’s
Association with their Tikog Hand-woven Mats, Panghiusa alang sa Kaugalingnan
ug Kalingkawasan, Inc. - Romblon bags collection and San Francisco Agsam
Weavers Handicrafts Assocationg - agsam gift, decors and home styles.
The
exhibitors were just few of the beneficiaries assisted by the Negosyo Centers
and specifically the program on Strike Team for Indigenous Peoples in the
province.
The aim of
the Strike Team for IPs to promote its crafts and traditional items has reached
beyond expectation.
Other
significant officials attending the activity were DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez and
Assistant Secretary Ameenah Fajardo. (DTI-Agusan del Sur/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
Feature: An automotive mechanic turns corn farmer
By
Aurelius P. Arais
“Corn
farming is our family tradition and this is our life” said Renato Frias, a
43-year-old resident of Purok 3, Barangay Basa, Trento, Agusan del Sur, who
owns a three-hectare farm land.
He said
that he was nurtured in a farming environment, that is why despite his academic
achievement as an automotive mechanic, his love in tilling the soil remains.
“My mother
is a farmer who managed to send us to school through corn farming, so I am
following her footsteps so I can send my own children to school, too,” Frias
said.
Kagawad
Renato, as he was fondly called since he was a former barangay councilor, said
that aside from corn, he is also planting various vegetables.
“Upon
harvest of corn, I won’t sell everything right away, I will spare some for
value adding so I can sell them on much higher price for additional income, I
would sell these during flea market every Saturday together with my
vegetables,” Frias said.
He said
that aside from selling corn kernel, Kagawad Renato also sells crack corn, corn
grits and corn bran.
Aside from
family members who help him in the farm, he hired 10 persons mostly his
neighbors especially during planting season, thereby contributing employment on
his community.
To be
resilient on climate change, he patterned his planting schedule on weather
conditions.
“In a
year, we are planting corn twice, the third one will be rice, so we will be
harvesting three times to maximize the time and the weather pattern,” he said.
He also
revealed that he has applied the technology he learned during trainings
particularly the Integrated Pest Management (IPM).
“I am so
grateful to the Department of Agriculture and to the local government unit of
Trento, because once, I was hailed as an outstanding young farmer and an
outstanding 4-H of the year and I was given the opportunity to travel to Japan
for an eight-month training with the help of the LGU and the Department of
Agriculture,” he narrated.
As fruit
of his labor, Kagawad Renato was able to own a farm tractor, which is a great
help in preparing his farm and which also serves his neighboring farms for a
minimal fee.
Currently,
Kagawad Renato is a cluster leader in three barangays - the Manat-Basa-Tudela
or MABATU corn cluster in the said town.
“Corn
farming is a viable livelihood and a stable source for the family’s
income," he added. (DA-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
